on September 22nd, 2012

22

Sep

They were very emotional seconds this morning on the beach in Santa Monica, when the space shuttle Endeavour made her graceful entrance at 11.51 a.m. for its last voyage. Just listen to the crowd on the video I filmed with my left hand while I was taking photos with my right.

on September 21st, 2012

21

Sep

The Original Nancy Reagan “Chopped” Salad is back at the Hotel Bel-Air! Introduced in the 80s as the “Spa Salad”, it became Mrs. Reagan’s favorite lunch item, and was named after her circa 2000. The former first lady still comes once a month.

But the classic dish disappeared from the menu when the renovated hotel reopened in November 2011. It has been revisited by Wolfgang Puck’s team, and tastes better than ever. Composed of finely chopped romaine, baby gem lettuce, diced tomato, grilled Jidori chicken, diced turkey bacon, avocado and Point Reyes blue cheese tossed in homemade lemon vinaigrette dressing, it is a full meal by itself. It’s not just for ladies who lunch; even businessmen order it!

More lunch menu news: the return of Thai style chicken salad and the Japanese BBQ salmon salad, and the arrival of signature pizza and sandwiches.

on September 13th, 2012

13

Sep

A box of caviar from Petrossian

There are many and various ways to indulge yourself with caviar at Petrossian Boutique & Restaurant in West Hollywood, CA: – caviar from six species of farm-raised sturgeon are offered from different origins like the U.S., Bulgaria, Israel, and even China. Caviar from Russia and Iran is now history. It starts at $59 for 30g of classic transmontanus to $1,185 for 125g of top-of-the-line kaluga; – caviar powder, made from 100% transmontanus. Itwill definitively add a chic taste to your scrambled eggs; – caviar Papierusse ® which are caviar sheets also made from 100%transmontanus; – caviar classes, starting at $35 to $125(excluding tax and gratuity), where you will learn the difference between transmontanus, ossetra, shassetra, kaluga…; – dining at the restaurant where I will be heading next week. More to come!

on September 06th, 2012

06

Sep

Café del Rey in Marina del Rey, CA, may be a classic (it has been here since July 1991), but some desserts served there certainly are not. Have you tried pastry chef Charles Yoder’s bacon ice cream?

This sweet item caught my attention and my taste buds. That’s why I wanted to feature it in the photo with executive chef Daniel Roberts. It is actually quite good. Could the red sugar twist, coming from the bread pudding plate that I am holding in my right hand, be the tail of the pig?